German Law Change to Brings Recognition to a Third Sex

Germany is about to join the small list of countries who legally recognize intersex people.

According to The Local, a ruling from the Federal Constitutional Court will come into effect this November, which will allow intersex people to decide their own sex when they decide to do so.

"If the child cannot be identified as female or male, the personal gender is to be left blank and to be so entered into the births register," the new law states.

While the law represents a milestone for intersex people, who are many times assigned a certain sex at birth and later in life realize they feel more comfortable with the opposite sex, it will have to be implemented to other types of identification besides birth certificates, Süddeutsche Zeitung writes.

Also, having nothing could create difficulties for intersexual people travelling to some countries, and German law defines marriage as the union between a man and a woman.

Justice Minister Sabine Leuthheusser-Schnarrenberger said a "comprehensive reform" would be necessary.